Walking School Bus

A Walking School Bus is a group of children who walk to and from school supervised by one or more adult volunteers.  Like a real bus, it travels at a set time and children join or leave the bus at designated stops.  

Why have a Walking School Bus?  

• arrive at school invigorated and ready to learn – on time
• have fun with friends, meet new friends
• learn how to cross roads safely and develop independence
• get physical exercise and fresh air, improving health and fitness
• learn good habits for the future
• help reduce air pollution
• parents save money on petrol & vehicle running costs
• avoid adding to traffic congestion at the school gate – safer with less cars
• Younger children can walk to and from school safely every day
• Older children can take on the responsibility of becoming deputy driver

To start up a Walking School Bus in your school all you need is some motivation and enthusiasm!  Ask your school to contact the Sustainable Travel Team for support and an info pack.

• Click here to request contact from the Sustainable Travel Team

What do you need to do to get a Walking School Bus started?

1. Determine where the children live and establish common routes that would accommodate most children – if your school has a School Travel Plan the travel plan coordinator can assist you in plotting the addresses and developing a route map.
2. Establish support for the Walking School Bus through getting the children excited with the idea.
3. Send home information to the parents to develop an understanding of how the Walking School Bus works. A parent pack is also available to assist in the facilitation of ongoing support for the walking school bus and good behaviour of the children, including best practice guidelines.
4. Ask for volunteers – remind them that the more volunteers the less often you need to help – if you get 10 volunteers then you only need to do one route per week.  Talk to your local community, school and Sustainable Travel Facilitators for support in finding volunteers.
5. Involve the older children with the Walking School Bus: they can be buddies to the younger kids; provides opportunities for responsibility; develops their sense of pride and belonging to the community; less stress for the volunteer parent.  They can also be rewarded the responsibility of becoming a deputy driver.

What people have said about Walking School Bus

"Some of the benefits we have found having a Walking School Bus are it brings the community closer together by getting to know the families living closely around you"

"A great benefit the drivers have found is not having to go school every morning and afternoon to pick up kids"

"Last winter one of our children was sick - it was great that we could keep the sick child home and send the other to school on the Walking School Bus"

"The kids have all made new friends"

Contact

 
 
 
 
 
 
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The Sustainable Travel Team
Level 5, Council Offices
Garden Place
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 6868
Fax: 838 6440

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